Myoplasmic impedance of the barnacle muscle fiber

Myoplasmic impedance was measured on a barnacle (Balanus nubilus) single muscle fiber that was placed in a cylindrical cavity to limit the volume and prevent the hydration of the myoplasm. At both ends of the cavity, the myoplasm was in direct contact with an electrolyte solution. When equilibrium with the external medium was reached, the myoplasmic impedance was measured at 10 degrees C with an impedance bridge at 1000 Hz. The results indicated that the myoplasmic impedance of the muscle fiber is mainly resistive. Treating the myoplasm as a suspension of small conductive particles, we deduced the specific conductivity of the contractile filaments kf and their volume fraction rho (kf = 2.78 X 10(-3) omega-1cm-1, and rho = 0.48). The experimental technique permits an estimate of the specific myoplasmic conductivity in vivo (6.27 X 10(-3) omega-1cm-1). Finally, a decrease in the pH of the external solution from 10.1 to 4.0 lowered the myoplasmic conductivity by 16%. This may be considered as indirect evidence that the conductivity of the contractile filaments is associated with the protein counter-ions, since Hinke et al. (1973. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 204, 274-296.) reported evidence that a lowering of pH decreases the number of counter-ions.